Blue plaque for studio where David Bowie cut famous albums

Updated

The studio where David Bowie recorded some of his best-known albums is getting a blue plaque.

Bowie, who died in January 2016 aged 69, recorded Ziggy Stardust and Hunky Dory at Trident Studios in Soho, central London.

The studio, as well as a shopping arcade and a former hotel in Kent where Bowie's short-lived band The Manish Boys played, and Hull Paragon station where his backing band The Spiders From Mars embarked on tours, are also getting plaques.

Delia Derbyshire, an electronic music pioneer who helped craft the Doctor Who theme tune, the late broadcaster John Peel and former Pink Floyd star Syd Barrett are also among those being honoured.

The Brighton venue where Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, and the Fox And Hounds pub in Caversham, Berkshire, where John Lennon and Paul McCartney played their only gig as The Nerk Twins - said to be in front of an audience of just three people, are also on the list.

The plaques are being awarded by BBC Local Radio with the British Plaque Trust, which usually only presents around two a year, to mark people or places that have influenced the musical landscape across the country.

Marking BBC Music Day, most of the 47 new blue plaques will be unveiled on Thursday.

BBC English regions controller David Holdsworth said the ceremonies would be broadcast on its local radio stations.

"It is hugely prestigious to receive an official Blue Plaque, usually only around two are awarded each year," he said.

"To mark BBC Music Day across BBC Local Radio with 47 blue plaque unveilings is a fitting way to commemorate our listeners' passion and pride for where they live and to celebrate our musical heritage."

The flat in West Didsbury, Manchester, where Factory Records - which became home to Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays - was founded is also among the places getting a plaque.

The Who's John Entwistle and Led Zeppelin's John Bonham also among the late stars being honoured.

English Heritage is also known for awarding blue plaques, and does so in London only.

:: The full list of plaques can be found on www.bbc.co.uk/musicday.

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